Paying Tribute In Dallas, Texas

I live in Dallas, Texas, which is slowly taking on the South Side of Chicago’s title as the “Murder Capital of the World.” So, it is nice when we have positive things to boast about.

In 2022 Dallas, Texas was voted THE BEST city for Tribute Bands of any city in the US. Suck it, Vegas! We have Back in Black, the greatest AC/DC Tribute band in the nation. There is Rock and Roll Over, the premier KISS Tribute band once voted one of the Top five KISS Tribute bands in the World… BY KISS! We have Tres Hombres (ZZ Top), Infestation (Ratt), Chap Stick (Cheap Trick), Guns 4 Roses (Guns N’ Roses), Walk This Way (Aerosmith), Looks 2 Kill (Motley Crüe), and countless others.

The MPL Music Reporter position has been a bit of a revolving door in our infancy, to be quite honest. However, Lenny Ross (our intern and 2.9 GPA Junior at Richardson High School in the Dallas suburb of Richardson), has informed me of an amazing Tribute Band that just hasn’t hit their stride yet.

I promised Lenny that I would act as his father and call him out of school for lunch (my treat, of course) if he would introduce me to this underrated Tribute Band founder, Gabe Doworski. The following is our discussion over lunch at the Londoner in Addison, Texas.

MLP: So, Gabe. Lenny tells me that Dallas is on the verge of discovering the next big Tribute Band, and you are it.

Gabe Doworski (GD): I think we are just about ready to take over the Tribute Band scene in Dallas.

MLP: Well I am dying to know. What band are you paying tribute to, and what is the name of the band?

GD: We are a Big Country Tribute Band. And we are called “Big Cuntry”.

MLP: Well Gabe, I hate to break this to you, but you are in Country Music Heaven being in Dallas. Do you really think another Country cover band is going to really take over the Tribute scene here? And what separates “Big” Country from regular Country music?

GD: I don’t think you understand. Common mistake. We are a “Big Country” Tribute Band. We cover songs by the band, “Big Country”… from the 1980’s.

MLP: Wait. You mean the band with the song that was the same name as the band… “Big Country”?

GD: Yes!

MLP: Why?

GD: From 1983 to the latter part of 1983, this incredible Scottish band, fronted by the velvet voice of Stuart Adamson, ruled the World. They climbed the Billboard Top 200 charts with their single “Big Country.” They were screwed in the US and disrespected by getting no airtime or MTV play with gems like “Harvest Home,” “Fields of Fire,” and “Chance.”

MLP: I don’t really recall any of these songs. But I do know “Big Country.” Or is it called “In A Big Country”?

GD: No. “Big Country” is correct.

MLP: So where have you been showcasing the band? And where can we see you playing next?

GD: Well we just placed 8th at the Battle of the Bands at Berkner High School*. Not bad.  We just played at a Quinceňera in Garland, TX. Funny thing happened there.They made the same mistake you initially did. They thought we played country music. Awkward (said with an eye roll and a smile). And we have been sending samples, both audio and videos, to different clubs, bars, and venues. {*Editor Note – There were 9 bands entered in the Battle of the Bands competition at Berkner High School.}

MLP: It sounds like you are really working hard to get noticed. Just no takers yet? Why do you think that is?

GD: We often have responses that say, “We don’t book country acts.” When we respond to them explaining that we are a “Big Country” Tribute Band, and not a “Country” Band, we have received some letters back apologizing for the mix-up… followed with comments like, “We are not booking a ‘Big Country’ Tribute Band either.”

MLP: Gabe. I want to wish you the best of luck. I hope that Big Cuntry really takes off. I think I can speak for most of Dallas when I say that I hope you ‘keep us dancing while our beds are burning.’

GD: That is actually Midnight Oil. Not Big Country.

MLP: I gave it a shot.